Happy Janis Day...it's party time!

Annually, Latvians celebrate the summer solstice (the longest day of the year ), also called Janis Day, on June 23rd, leading into the 24th.  Traditionally, it's a time where many Latvians go to the country and "party like it's 1999."  With Bill arriving back home on Saturday, the Richardsons are now all back in the U.S., but we're staying in touch with our Baltic friends.  Being so far north, Latvian daylight lasts a LONG TIME in June, and the darkness could hardly be called "pitch-black."  We're sorry to have missed it...

Anyway, this gives us an excuse to discuss all the fun parties Bill experienced in the first few weeks of June.  With school-related activity slowing down, there was a bit more free time, as you will see.  There was a really fun get-together for U.S./Latvia cultural exchange programs at Ambassador Garber's residence in Jurmala on June 6.

Fulbrighters Michael Dozler, Ardyth Sohn, Ambassador Judith Garber, and Bill

While at the party, Bill met percussionist Rihards Fedotovs, who will be studying at the University for the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, this coming year.

By the way, U.S. taxpayers should be really proud of the Embassy and its staff in Latvia.  The staff are friendly, extraordinarily helpful, and a positive presence.  In addition, Madam Ambassador's residence is really beautiful.  It is clear that the U.S. diplomatic mission in Latvia is, and continues to be, a success.

After this party, Bill performed as member of the trumpet section and as trumpet soloist with the Jurmala Youth Wind Orchestra, Janis Kagis and Viesturs Galanieks, conducting.

Graduation exercises at the J.V.L.M.A. were Friday, June 12.  The Music Academy brass quintet performed for the processional and the national anthem, Dievs, svētī Latviju! (God Bless Latvia!).  Bill performed for the 2 p.m. ceremony.  Click (here) for video.  Here's a picture of the 10 a.m. ceremony:

The Music Academy's official song is Gaismas Pils (Castle of Light).  Click (here) to see and hear the J.V.L.M.A. Choir performing this beautiful piece.

There was a post-graduation celebration in J.V.L.M.A. Rector Artis Simanis' office immediately following the ceremony.

J.V.L.M.A. Brass Division Head Janis Retenais and Rector Artis Simanis

Later that evening, there was yet another party, this time in the Music Academy Student Club, a bar located in the basement of the music building that is large enough for live music and dancing.

On Saturday, June 13, Bill and several friends traveled to the Jelgava area for an outdoor concert and dance featuring some Latvian pop/rock music.  The group had an outstanding "substitute" bass player named Janis Retenais.  As you can see from the video (here), everyone had way too much fun!

On June 14, Carl and Becky Chaplin hosted a party at their apartment.  A great time was had by all.

Several brass players from the Latvian Brass Band, the National Opera, and the National Symphony organized a party on Tuesday, June 16.  We started by purchasing provisions at Maxima, a Wal-mart-ish kind of store that has everything.

Having purchased all the necessary food and beverages for a proper Latvian barbecue, we then traveled about 20 minutes outside Riga to an area of rental cabins for parties.

Then, of course, sauna.  I promised no pictures, but extreme heat followed by jumping into cool water, then repeating the process several times, is pretty intense.  Here's what we looked like afterward:

Fun times.  To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, "Latvieski Alus is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

The next day we had a small gathering at the J.V.L.M.A. as kind of a send-off for Viljams.  Between the Fulbright "book allowance" and a few extra Lats, we were able to donate a new flugelhorn and a boat-load of trumpet literature to the music academy for future students to use in their studies.

In return, we ended up with a ton of parting gifts in the process.

On Thursday the 16th, Bill watched World Cup Football with Caleb (a missionary from North Carolina), Ungars, and Gundega from the Riga Reformed Church.  We had a great time watching the France-Mexico game.

Of course, Niki and the little ladies have had a few parties of their own, living with some of their American friends for a week, playdates, and the annual Maryville Young Players production.  Great times had by all!

Professional Activities Calendar

Bill has been going over the calendar to reminisce about the last 5.5 months of teaching, performing, interacting with people, and discovering Latvia.  It has been a fun ride!  No pictures this time, just lots of bulleted items.  Throughout the spring, 2010, term Bill had the following "steady" assignment:

• Taught four trumpet students at the J.V.L.M.A. - Janis Ivuskans (trumpet performance major), Guntes Supe (trumpet performance major), Viesturs Galanieks (wind conducting major), and Oskars Ozolins (jazz studies major)
• Taught two trumpet students at the Jazeps Medins Riga Music College - Janis Auzins (trumpet performance major) and Janis Grudinskis (trumpet performance major).  Coached the Medins College brass quintet in the months of January, February, and March.
• Rehearsed weekly with the Latvian Brass Band as solo flugelhorn player and regularly with the J.V.L.M.A. Brass Ensemble.
• Served as the English-language narrator for the J.V.L.M.A. promotional video (click here).

Individual professional activities of note (in the order they occurred): 

• January 29 - Adjudicated trumpet players for a Youth Brass Competition at the J.V.L.M.A.
• January 29 - Brass.lv quintet and solo trumpet performance at Riga's Dome Cathedral (performed Alan Hovhaness' Prayer of Saint Gregory with organist Talivaldis Deksnis).
• February 10 - Adjudicated brass and saxophone players for a Youth Music Competition (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Riga, Latvia.
• February 14 - Piccolo trumpet performance at St. Saviour's Anglican Church in Riga, Latvia (selected movements from Handel's Suite in D Major).
• February 17 (10 a.m.) - J.V.L.M.A. Symphony Orchestra Childrens' Concert performing Pictures at an Exhibition by Moussorgsky/Ravel (3rd trumpet, solo piccolo trumpet).
• February 17 (12 p.m.) - J.V.L.M.A. Symphony Orchestra Childrens' Concert performing Pictures at an Exhibition by Moussorgsky/Ravel (3rd trumpet, solo piccolo trumpet).
• February 17 (2 p.m.) - J.V.L.M.A. Symphony Orchestra Childrens' Concert performing Pictures at an Exhibition by Moussorgsky/Ravel (3rd trumpet, solo piccolo trumpet).
• February 19 - J.V.L.M.A. Symphony Orchestra Concert performing Migla (Evija Vecumniece), Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra (Chopin), and Pictures at an Exhibition by Moussorgsky/Ravel (principal trumpet).
• March 9 - J.V.L.M.A. Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Faculty Concert (performed Night Sun Journey by Meg Bowles).
• March 10 - Adjudicated brass players for a Youth Music Competition (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Ventspils, Latvia.
• March 15 - Adjudicated brass players for a Youth Music Competition (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Liepaja, Latvia.
• March 17 - Adjudicated brass players for a Youth Music Competition (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Jelgava, Latvia.
• March 18 - Adjudicated brass players for a Youth Music Competition (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Jurmala, Latvia.
• March 21 - Riga's City Jazz Big Band performance (solo jazz trumpet). 
• March 24 - Adjudicated brass players for a Youth Music Competition (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Rezekne, Latvia.
• March 25 - Adjudicated brass players for a Youth Music Competition (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Daugavpils, Latvia.
• March 26 - J.V.L.M.A. Brass Ensemble performance (solo piccolo trumpet).
• April 1 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Cesis, Latvia.
• April 2 - Conductor/solo trumpet at the Riga Reformed Church (performed Mass for Peace by Bob Chilcott with musicians from the Riga Reformed Church).
• April 9 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Ventspils, Latvia.
• April 12 - Co-presented the "Trumpet" master class at the 2010 Riga International Brass Symposium.
• April 12-15 - Taught trumpet lessons (with Dutch trumpeter Reijer Dorresteijn) at the 2010 Riga International Brass Symposium.
• April 13 - 2010 Riga International Brass Symposium Teachers' Concert (performed Concerto in E-flat by Neruda, Enescu's Legende, and three movements of Ewazen's Elizabethan Songbook with pianists Ilze Dzerve, Ieva Dzerve, and tuba player Janis Retenais).
• April 15 - 2010 Riga International Brass Symposium Wind Orchestra Concert solo trumpet performance (performed Dramatic Essay by Clifton Williams and Andante et Allegro by Ropartz with the Jazeps Medins Riga Music College Wind Orchestra).
• April 17 - 2010 Riga International Brass Symposium Final Concert performance with the J.V.L.M.A. Brass Ensemble (solo piccolo trumpet) and the Latvian Brass Band (solo flugelhorn).
• April 23 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Jurmala, Latvia.
• April 23 - Live-Brass quintet performance (solo trumpet and flugelhorn) in Kandava, Latvia.
• April 26 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers and Students (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Rezekne, Latvia.
• April 27 - Recorded Matt Holmquiest's Stevie R (section trumpet) and Mongo Santamaria's Afro Blue (jazz trumpet soloist) with Riga's City Jazz Big Band. 
• April 28 - Solo trumpet performance at Riga's Anglican Church "Wednesday Recital Series" (performed Handel's Suite in D Major, Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary with organist Kristine Adamaite). 
• May 8 - Solo trumpet performance at Jelgava's Lutheran Church (performed Handel's Suite in D Major, Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary with organist Kristine Adamaite).
• May 17 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers and Students (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Cesis, Latvia.
• May 20 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers and Students (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Rezekne, Latvia.
• May 23 - Conductor/solo trumpet at Riga's Baptist Seminary Church (performed Mass for Peace by Bob Chilcott with musicians from the Riga Reformed Church).
• May 25 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers and Students (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Riga, Latvia.
• May 27 - Presented the "Trumpet" portion of Brass Master Classes for Teachers and Students (supported by the Latvian Ministry of Culture) in Ventspils, Latvia.
• May 29 - Concert performance with the Latvian Brass Band in Ventspils, Latvia (solo flugelhorn).
• May 30 - Concert performance with Inga Meijere for her J.V.L.M.A. diploma exam (jazz trumpet and flugelhorn soloist).
• June 5 - Wind Orchestra Concert solo trumpet performance (performed The Last Rose of Summer with the Jurmala Youth Wind Orchestra).
• June 6 - Conductor/solo trumpet at Riga's Vilandes Baptist Church (performed Mass for Peace by Bob Chilcott with musicians from the Riga Reformed Church).
• June 7 - Wind Orchestra Concert solo trumpet performance (performed movement two of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with the University of Latvia Wind Orchestra).
• June 13 - performed hymns at the Riga Reformed Church (solo flugelhorn).

Jazz, Mini-Vacation, and Final Performances

Bill has had the opportunity to play with a variety of groups during his stay in Latvia, including Riga's City Jazz Big Band.  He recorded two pieces with CJBB (click on the title to hear each composition), as trumpet soloist on an arrangement of Mongo Santamaria's Afro Blue and a new composition, minimalist-influenced Stevie-R by Swedish composer, arranger, and big-band leader Matt Holmquist.  Here's a picture of the trumpet section at one of the recording sessions.

Moving on, the conductor of the Latvian Brass Band is Andis Karelis.  He's married to Inga Meijere, a saxophone player who just graduated from the J.V.L.M.A.  Here's their picture at the graduation ceremony this past Friday.

Anyway, Inga's saxophone and composition "Exam Concert" was Sunday, May 30th, and she asked Bill to play on some of the pieces.  One her original compositions, K7, can be heard (here).

Last Wednesday and Thursday Bill was able to rearrange trumpet lessons to take a quick trip to Tallinn, Estonia, and Helsinki, Finland.  In Tallin he met fellow Fulbrighter Eric Showalter, who has taught engineering this spring, and Eric's son Nathan.  Nathan has been performing piano in some jazz groups and for a dance studio in town.  Old Town Tallinn has really embraced the medieval part of their history.  In comparison with Riga's Old Town, Tallinn has retained much more of the exterior wall surrounding the area and has many hills.

Later in the afternoon Bill met with Estonian jazz vocalist Maria Vali (the singer on Inga's piece, K7).

Here is the Estonian Prime Minister's residence.

An Estonian song festival is held every few years in this large amphitheater.

Here's the home of Estonia's President.

Later we ate dinner and listened to some really great music at a jazz club called Clazz, located right in the heart of Old Town Tallinn.  Overall an excellent day!

On Thursday, June 10, Bill hopped on the Tallink Shuttle boat for a 2-hour trip to Helsinki, Finland.

That's right, you are seeing "big rigs" that were transported in the belly of the beast!  While not a luxury cruise liner, this was a really impressive ferry with shops, restaurants, and plenty of interesting views.

With fewer than 5 hours in Finland, it seemed the best plan was to catch a 90-minute bus tour around the city.  Here are some pictures taken from inside the bus.

The tour stopped at Helsinii's Church in the Rock, a Lutheran church and concert hall designed by architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainien.  It's walls are granite and the entire ceiling is made from copper wire.  One can only imagine the excellent acoustics for a brass performance in this place!

Our second and final stop on the tour was the Sibelius Park and Monument, a tribute to Finland's most famous composer, Jean Sibelius.  The park is very "natural-looking" and the monument was designed by sculptor Eila Hiltunen.  One section of the monument is an image of the composer.

The other section portrays an image of a Norwegian forest.  It looks like the "trees" could also be organ pipes, which would make sense tying the whole music-thing together.

Very cool.

After an action-packed day it was time to take the ferry back to Tallinn, where Bill walked to the bus station and caught the EuroLines Luxury Express (with a coffee machine, wireless internet, and a bathroom!) for the trip back to Riga.  An excellent trip all the way around.

Yesterday Bill played flugelhorn at the Riga Reformed Church.  It was his last time to attend worship services here and is also his last scheduled performance in Latvia.  Feel free to listen to Be Thou My Vision from yesterday.  Becky and Carl Chaplin had a party at their apartment after church, and we all had a great time. 

This is Bill's final week of teaching at the Music Academy.  It has been a great experience meeting new people, sharing ideas, and experiencing a different culture.  More blog posts to follow!

Restaurants and Shopping

We haven't yet mentioned how bright it is outside at nighttime.  Because Latvia is so far north, the days are quite long in the summer and rather short in the winter.  As an example, here is a picture taken of the Latvian National Opera House last night (June 2, 2010) at 10:00 p.m.!

So this is the consumer-related portion of our blog.  Our Latvia residence is on Merkela iela, and there is a large mall close by called Origo.  The malls here have a variety of shops, including clothing, alterations, hair salon, grocery store, and restaurants.  Although we have done a great deal of our own cooking, a great way to experience a new culture is to actually get-out and grab a meal somewhere.  With this in mind, we offer some of our favorite restaurant chains for your enjoyment.

• Lido - Latvian traditional food restaurants that is cafeteria-style.  We are fond of kartupeli (potatoes), vistas (chicken) stroganoff, and pankukas ar sieru (crepe-like pancakes with cheese), in addition to other items.  The prices at Lido are quite reasonable.
• Cili Pica - This pizza joint has really good Italian-style thin-crust pizza.  We decided early-on to purchase a "friends" discount card for this place, and we're hoping to learn how to replicate the thin, yet soft, crust on the pizza when we set-up the pizzeria at home in Marvyille.  Card-holders can feed a family of 4 for quite cheap during the hours of 2-6 p.m.
• Gan bei - A Chinese restaurant that is excellent.  One is located in Origo.
• Double Coffee - There are 80-million DCs in Riga alone!  We like it because it is conveniently located close to our apartment and the JVLMA, and the kids enjoyed eating the crepes.

There are numerous cafes and mom-and-pop restaurants throughout Riga which are excellent as well.

Most eating establishments here have outdoor eating opportunities when the weather is nice.  There are a variety of really great pubs (especially the outdoor beer gardens in Old-Town as seen in the pictures below), but Bill's favorite is Alus Ordenis, located close to the Music Academy.  It's a basement establishment that serves Uzavas Tumsais, a really fantastic dark alus (beer).  BTW, Bill's list of tasty barley-pop continues to grow, but here's the top-3 thus far: Valmiermuzias, Uzavas Tumsais, and Bauskas Alus.

We have enjoyed meeting with Mike Johnson, owner of the Patricia Tourist Office (http://www.rigaguide.com/).  He is incredibly helpful with information, guidance, electrical equipment, linen items, and packing tape, among other things!  His office is located at Elizabetes iela 22.

Several of our friends at the Riga Reformed Church work in a small handmade art and clothing shop called Pumpa.  It's located at Brivibas iela 166 and a short description can be found here (Pumpa).  They are open weekdays from 11:00-7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11:00-4:00 p.m.  They have really interesting clothing, accessories, and hand-crafted items...Pumpa is highly recommended if you have a chance to visit Riga!

Riga's Central Market is basically a set of airplane-hangar buildings that is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.  Here's a picture taken from the top of St. Peter's Church.

The Richardson ladies are back in the United States and have recovered from jet-lag, which is a good thing.  Ciao for now!